Name That Passage

It remains important that we do not let biblical literalism, religious zealotry, or selective reading allow those who believe in any God to promote hatred and inequality based on difference or anything else. Remember if you are a Christian, Jesus was very clear that He did not come to change the law, He came to save souls.

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4 thoughts on “Name That Passage”

Over the last couple of years I have developed an adverse reaction to Christianity, and it disturbs me. I used to pray and I used to go to church. I felt like I had a rather healthy relationship with God. However, I have encountered some rather militant, evangelical types since I moved to the US. Although fanatics are usually in the minority, they also seem to leave the lasting impressions. I have been trying to work through these issues, but it’s not easy!Thanks for sharing this video. Kindly,Kathrin

I hear you. The important thing to remember is that fundamentalism in any faith or being committed to a Church over faith are almost always out of step with the teachings of those faiths and almost always aligned with hatred of something or someone.You might read one of these books to get a little excited about (Christian) faith again:Shane Claiborne The Irresistible Revolution (please get it at a library or borrow it b/c it is published by Zondervan which is being sued for increasingly homophobic translations of the Bible. Claiborne’s book came out before the lawsuit and I don’t think he would support homophobia but still I have a policy of not supporting "racially irresponsible publishing" and that includes homophobic publishing for me. The book itself is quite moving accept for a few pages when near the end in the love chapter where he veers into the whole protestant body-desire issues.) Read more here: http://www.thesimpleway.org/store/ecommerce.htmlScott Bessenecker "The New Friars" which I have not read is supposed to be the Radical Catholic version of faith over church, faith over fundamentalism. It is published by IVP which is not being sued. Again I have not read this book and cannot vouch for what is in it. he also has a blog: http://scottbdot.blogspot.com/Both are written by white, upper middle class, heterosexual, men who come from Church backgrounds, so there is definitely an early definition of "us" in the text that might run counter to most of the "us" that reads this blog, but I think, at least with the one I’ve read, the Claiborne, it quickly moves into a more inclusive "us" as the transformation from Church goer to Radical faith happens.I teach in a place that is almost totally populated with fundamentalist churches and Vatican I Catholics, so I know it can be hard. I just try to read, to pray, and to cultivate faith based relationships elsewhere and not let the behavior of the fundamentalists and the people who think we are all evil as a result get in the way.I wish you luck on your journey of reconciliation. Don’t let the fundamentalists get you down.

Thank you! I am currently working on my MA at a Catholic University (Augustinian Rite), but I have found the atmosphere quite accepting of other faiths. I have come to learn that the Augustinian Rite, while among the oldest Catholic rites in the US, is also one of the most tolerant of other creeds. Now, race is a whole other issues. Racial "incidents" tend to be swept under the rug by the administration. Themes of gender and sexuality are practically taboo, even in academic discourse. I am glad that I will be done in November.

it is too bad you will be done so soon, I would have suggested starting a discussion series on diversity issues on campus. Often all it takes is a few committed faculty, some yummy snacks, and good advertising to bring in people who are curious or dying to discuss issues normally considered "hard" or "taboo" on a college campus. And if the first few are successful, more people come and it can take on a life of its own. But it is hard work in a resistant atmosphere and not what I would recommend for someone about to leave.Anyway, I’m glad some (if not much?) has been good.